In Paddington 38 years ago were very few. There was the old church on
Paddington Green, and no other except the chapel in St. Petersburgh
Place, the minister, the Rev. Mr. Smalley, was rightly highly esteemed;
his curate, Rev. Mr. Buckmaster, and the Scripture reader, Mr. Leask,
were also powers for good in their day.
How well this church has been honoured by the late lamented Archdeacon
Hunter his large congregation will long remember. It seems sad that he
should not have lived to see the new church which he commenced completed,
but the Great Disposer of all events knew best, and he worships now in a
better sanctuary.
Kensington had its parish church, St. Mary Abbot’s, and a chapel in
Addison Road. At the former was a man beloved by all who knew him, the
Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair, a man whose memory will be still dear to
some old inhabitants of Kensington.
In Hornton Street, Kensington, was the chapel formerly under the
pastorate of Dr. Vaughan, and here the Queen’s mother often listened to
the Gospel.
The Wesleyans had their chapel behind the High Street, and the Baptists
in Silver Street Kensington Gravel Pits. This church now worships as
Westbourne Grove Chapel.
Old Silver Street chapel would hold about 200 people, it had one gallery
in front of the pulpit, and behind the pulpit sliding doors opened on to
the Sunday School Room. On great occasions the minister could have a
congregation both in front and behind him. This however did not often
happen.
In 1844 the minister was Rev. F. Wills, and the Deacons Messrs. Saunders,
Farmer, Worger and Wood. All these honoured brethren “have ceased from
their labours.”
Nonconformity was not allowed much room in Paddington, the land there
mainly belonged to the Bishop and the friends of the Established church.
The Baptists had a chapel in Praed Street, from which has sprung the
Westbourne Park Chapel under the pastorate of Rev. J. Clifford. The
Wesleyans had a chapel in Queen’s Road since rebuilt.
In 1844 In 1882.
Paddington had 2 churches 18.
,, ,, 2 Nonconformist Chapels 17.
Kensington had 2 churches 23.
,, ,, 3 Nonconformist chapels 24.
All honour to the men and women who have been instrumental not only in
erecting buildings but in maintaining the great and important work
connected with these places of worship.
The churches and the country look to the young to follow in the steps of
those who through good report and evil have worked on for the promotion
of Christ’s kingdom and the welfare of their neighbours.
The past generation have done much. Let every Christian see to it not
only to hold the ground acquired, but to use all their influence to do
even more than those who have gone before.
I conclude with the desire that one more used to literary composition had
written the facts. I hope all discrepancies will be overlooked and that
it may not be uninteresting to read